Image: Dunas da Lagoa, Ilha de Santa Catarina (Floripa), Brazil.
Highlights
– Ilha da Santa Catarina or Floripa is a great island destination in Brazil if you like the beach.
Time of Visit: May 2026
Duration of Visit: Five Nights
Description
Ilha da Santa Catarina is the geographical name of a wonderful island destination in southern Brazil about an hour by plane from São Paulo. There are many beaches to choose from, does not feel congested, has an extensive public transportation system and the weather was perfect in the fall to be just sitting on the beach.
The name Ilha da Santa Catarina is seldom used though. Instead, this island is often referred to as Florianópolis or Floripa as the colloquial nickname. For the rest of this story, the island will be referred to as Floripa while Florianópolis refers to the metropolitan city on the island which is the capital and the second largest in the state of Santa Catarina.
Floripa is about 54 kms (33 mi) long by 18 km (11 mi) wide at its widest point. It is located about an hour flight from the city of Sao Paolo. It takes roughly 1.5 hours to drive from the north end to the south end. It is a popular tourist destination in the summer. The island is connected to the mainland by one major bridge so it is easy to access by land.
Activities
Beaches
Floripa has 42 registered beaches. Some are readily accessible and some are not. Most of the beaches have golden sand. Some are fine and soft while others are compacted which is perfect for taking casual and long walks.
We were only able to see a few beaches. These were Barra da Lagoa, Campeche, and Mole which are at the middle and east side of the island, Rio das Pacas and Açores to the south, Ribeirao da Ilha at the town of Ostras to the west and Brava and Canasveiras to the north.
None of these beaches disappointed us. Some are more beautiful than others. For us, we liked Campeche and Mole the best because it provided an unspoiled feel as there are very few structures. Both beaches have a wide green zone (trees and shrubs) so we could not see the top of buildings and houses.
However, do not expect to see turquoise or emerald green water here unlike the Caribbean. Maybe it was because it was an overcast day when we came so the water was not colorful. Still, if you seek relaxation by sitting on a beach chair under an umbrella with the wind in your face, you cannot go wrong with Floripa’s beaches.
Culinary
The island boasts an extensive selection of culinary experiences. We were delighted having a seaside dinner at Rosso in the town of the Ostras. Their octopus legs dish was delicious.
Ostras is a quiet town too with several seaside restaurants. It is also a great place to watch the sunset.
Hiking
There are a number of hiking trails in Floripa. One of the more popular hikes is the Trilha da Lagoinha do Leste to the south (see the YoutTube video referenced in this story). Another hiking trail is the Trilha da Boa Vista e Galheta that connects Praia da Galheta with the town of Barra da Lagoa.
We were only able to do the short hike that connects Mole Beach and Praia da Galheta. The highlight of this hike was the beautiful viewpoint midway between the trail. We could have stayed at that location all afternoon as the views were nice and it was shaded from the afternoon sun.
Dunas da Lagoa and Sand Boarding
At the middle of the island on the eastern side is Dunas da Lagoa. It is a large dune area that is free to the public. Public access is on Avenida das Rendeiras east of the bridge over Lagoa da Conceição. The dunes are a popular sandboarding spot.
Dunas da Lagoa reminded us of White Sands National Park in New Mexico. Though its sand is not as white as White Sands, it still provides a beautiful and tranquil environment.
Water and Other Tourist Activities
Being surrounded by water, there are plenty of water related activities. We saw people fishing, net casting, surfing and swimming. We even saw a sign for paragliding and a pirate ship that takes visitors around the island.
There are plenty of Brazilian YouTube videos about places to see in Floripa. This one provides a good overview of what to do there, especially during the summer.
Insect Repellent and Yellow Fever
Brazil is a hotbed for yellow fever especially during the warm summer months. It is advisable to obtain a yellow fever vaccine. There are vaccination centers in major cities in Brazil and it is free to the public. We found one in Rio de Janeiro but unfortunately, they do not administer it to people over 60 years old without a doctor’s consent.
So if you are not vaccinated, arm yourself with insect repellent, preferably those that contain 20 or more percent Icardine or DEET.
How To Get There
We flew into Florianópolis airport (code FLN) from Montevideo, Uruguay. The airport is a domestic airport so we had to stop at Sao Paolo (code GRU) for our port of entry.
Where To Stay
Because Floripa is a big island, where you decide to stay depends on the activities you want to do and places you want to visit. If you stay in the middle of the island, it is possible that everything is within an hour’s drive away.
For us, if we were going to do it again, we would just stay near the north end of Praia do Campeche the entire time. The stretch between the sand dunes to the north and Praia do Morro das Pedras to the south has a wide green buffer area. So sitting on the beach would feel isolated as there are no visible rooftops. Feels very relaxing, especially with less people.
If you like taking walks on the beach, Praia de Canasvieras and Praia do Rio das Pacas have hard compacted beaches that are easy to walk on and are very long.
How To Get Around
We saw public buses and bus stops wherever we went. Rideshare such as Uber is also available on the island.
We opted to rent a car as it was inexpensive. Maybe because it was the off season. The only issue with having a car is parking. Some of the beaches do not have designated public parking so you will either have to find a paid parking area, park far away or take a bus.
Speed bumps are also common on roads so we were not able to drive fast. The highest speed limit is 80 kph (50mph) but 60 and 40 are more common in congested areas. That is why it takes longer to get to a destination. Plus most of the roads are two lane undivided with no passing allowed.
If you do intend to drive, watch out for motorcycles. Splitting the lane is a common but dangerous practice here. So before you change lanes, look at both your side mirrors and listen as there may be a motorcyclist that would pass either to your left or right.
Expected Expenses
The only expense we incurred was the private parking to get to Mole Beach. It was 30 BRL ($6 USD) for the entire day. Credit card was accepted.
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Summary
Florianópolis, affectionately known to Brazilians as “Floripa” to locals, is an island destination an hour’s plane ride south of Sao Paolo. Floripa offers a blend of empty beaches with modern amenities. The island seamlessly pairs the relaxed vibe of over 42 uncrowded beaches with a safe, high-quality urban environment.
Floripa has incredible variety of coastal landscapes making it a great place for both beachgoers and outdoor enthusiasts. Praia Brava and Praia da Joaquina are popular with surfers while Praia do Campeche provides tranquility and a relaxing vibe. Beyond the sand, the destination’s diverse geography includes an expansive sand dune, pristine pine forests, and the vast Lagoa da Conceição, which is perfect for ecotourism, kayaking, and hiking.
Floripa also boasts a rich cultural scene and top-tier infrastructure. Visitors can explore historic colonial architecture and museums in the city center, or sample world-class seafood at the vibrant municipal market or seaside restaurants.
Overall, there’s a high likelihood you may find something appealing in Floripa such that you may be looking at an extended stay on your next visit. Whether that’s outdoor activities, a relaxing day at the beach, sampling culinarily delights or a combination of all three, you may find yourself longing for more.